Solar Eclipse 2024: An Unforgettable Spectacle Across Texas and Beyond
Solar Eclipse 2024: An Unforgettable Spectacle Across Texas and Beyond
On April 8, 2024, a celestial phenomenon will grace the skies of North America. A total solar eclipse will take place, traveling across 15 states in the U.S., including Texas, and extending its reach to Mexico and Canada. The marvel will first appear on Mexico’s Pacific coast at 11:07 a.m. PDT, then sweep across the U.S., from Texas to Maine, before concluding its journey in Canada. Over 31 million people residing within the path of totality will witness the moon fully obscuring the sun.
Unlike the 2017 eclipse, the 2024 solar eclipse presents a wider path of totality, allowing more spectators to revel in the sight of the moon eclipsing the sun. This path ranges from 108 to 122 miles wide, and an additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of this path. The eclipse will commence over the Pacific Ocean, with Mexico’s Pacific coast being the first location in continental North America to experience totality. From there, the eclipse will continue its path into Texas and cross over a dozen states before entering Canada in southern Ontario. It is estimated that 99% of people in the U.S. will be able to view either a partial or total eclipse from their location.
The eclipse’s journey will culminate at 5:16 p.m. NDT in Newfoundland, Canada. Several major cities lie within the path of totality, with a plethora of others set to experience a partial eclipse. Major cities primed for eclipse viewing, weather permitting, include New York City, Houston, and St. Louis. The eclipse will initiate in the U.S. at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, reaching totality by 1:27 p.m. CDT and continue its northeast progression.
The 2024 solar eclipse is slated to be a memorable event, unique in its path, timing, and potential for scientific research. It will occur during the solar maximum when the sun’s magnetic field is more tangled, possibly allowing viewers to see more prominences – bright, pink curls or loops emanating from the sun. With specialized eclipse glasses and filters, spectators can safely enjoy this rare astronomical event, the next of its kind visible from the contiguous U.S. not occurring until August 23, 2044.
